Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council: Latest Newshttp://aijac.org.au/Latest News FeedsenSat, 10 Dec 2016 04:18:21 -0000AIJAC supports the retention of Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act in submission to Parliamentary Inquiry
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/aijac-supports-the-retention-of-part-iia-of-the-PART IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act has worked effectively for over 20 years and there is no compelling reason for repeal or wholesale reform.
That is the view the Australia/Israel &amp;amp; Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has argued in its submission to the Australian Federal Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into Freedom of Speech in Australia.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/aijac-supports-the-retention-of-part-iia-of-the-&#39;Palestinian children&#39; petition just more Israel-bashing
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/palestinian-children-petition-just-more-israel-bA recent Parliamentary petition regarding the Israel Defence Force&#39;s handling of arrests of Palestinian minors is fundamentally wrong for its misleading allegations and its self-serving omissions, but especially because it exploits Palestinian youth for political gain.
This is ironic, because it represents another form of immoral exploitation of Palestinian youth - that of the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank - that motivates the youth involved to commit the violence that gets them arrested in the first place.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/palestinian-children-petition-just-more-israel-bThe imminent fall of Aleppo and the Trump Administration
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/the-imminent-fall-of-aleppo-and-the-trump-adminiWith the Assad regime, and its Russian, Iranian and Hezbollah allies, making major in-roads into the rebel-head eastern district of Aleppo, it now looks like only a matter of time until the city falls to the regime. With US President-elect Trump having pledged to ignore the Syrian conflict and to seek a partnership with Russia, but also having pledged to fight back against the Iranian drive to dominate the region, and with the fall of Aleppo likely to provide a major boost to the Iranian axis - the events in Syria look likely to place the Trump Administration in a dilemma over Syria when they take over. This Update features analysis of that dilemma.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/the-imminent-fall-of-aleppo-and-the-trump-adminiBiblio File: The Puzzle of Antisemitism
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/biblio-file-the-puzzle-of-antisemitismThe root of much anti-Zionism is antisemitism, not the other way around, and this is especially the case within the Muslim world, where it goes back to Muhammad himself and the denunciations of the Jews as such in the Quran. Moreover, antisemitism in Europe and in North America has been on the rise in troubling ways and it demands explanation, because it is out of all proportion to any empirical evidence or rational justification - as has always been true with this especially long-lasting and pernicious version of racism.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/biblio-file-the-puzzle-of-antisemitismNoted and Quoted - December 2016
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/noted-and-quoted-december-2016The Federal Court&#39;s dismissal of a racial vilification charge under Section 18C against three Queensland University of Technology students, and developments in the case against Australian cartoonist Bill Leak, reenergised the debate on the merits of the 20-year-old civil legislation - with PM Malcolm Turnbull announcing a parliamentary inquiry.
AIJAC National Chairman Mark Leibler argued in the Australian (Nov. 14) that the law&#39;s inclusion of the words &quot;insult and offend&quot; is not what is giving rise to controversial claims, as some keep claiming, but the behaviour of the Human Rights Commission headed up by Gillian Triggs.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/noted-and-quoted-december-2016Media Microscope: Donald in Media-land
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/media-microscope-donald-in-media-landABC Jerusalem-based correspondent Sophie McNeill&#39;s online article (Nov. 14) focused on Israeli and Palestinian reaction to Trump&#39;s victory...
Amazingly, McNeill managed to only find Israelis welcoming Trump&#39;s win despite pre-election polling showing a majority of Israelis wanted Clinton to win - a point McNeill&#39;s report overlooked. An online ABC story during the campaign (Oct. 27) reporting on a pro-Trump rally in Jerusalem for dual American-Israeli citizens also ignored the majority pro-Clinton sentiment in Israel.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/media-microscope-donald-in-media-landEuropa Europa: A Troubling Truth
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/europa-europa-a-troubling-truthThe Balfour Apology Campaign launched the first in a year-long series of global events at the House of Lords in London to decry the creation of Israel and to demand an &quot;official apology from the British government for its past colonial crimes in Palestine.&quot; At the gathering, organised by the Palestine Return Centre and hosted by veteran Israel-hater Baroness Jenny Tonge, Israelis were compared to ISIS terrorists, Jews were blamed for the Holocaust, and Zionists were accused of not only inspiring the Holocaust but of holding the British parliament in its thrall.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/europa-europa-a-troubling-truthHamas&#39; dire financial straits
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/hamas-dire-financial-straitsHamas in Gaza is facing an acute financial crisis as its overseas cash sources dry up. This is forcing the Islamist regime and its armed terrorist wing, the Izzadin Al-Qassam Brigades, to resort to increasingly desperate measures, such as using international aid organisations to funnel cash away from Gazan civilians.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/hamas-dire-financial-straitsBehind the News - December 2016
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/behind-the-news-december-2016With Ismail Haniyeh set to replace Khaled Mashaal as head of Hamas&#39; political bureau in Qatar, reclusive Hamas official Imad al-Alami has reportedly been temporarily appointed to take over from Haniyeh in leading the terror group in Gaza.
Born in Gaza, al-Alami lived for several years in Teheran and then Damascus before returning to Gaza after the start of the Syrian Civil War.&amp;nbsp;
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/behind-the-news-december-2016Senators in glass houses
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/senators-in-glass-housesWhen an attempt by a member of the Jewish community to book a council venue for an event featuring One Nation Senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts was rebuffed by the Council for operational reasons, Senator Roberts accused the Council of antisemitism, of all things, in a post on his Facebook page. Not only was this claim bizarre, what is even more worrying is that this post, and others on his page about the event and the Council decision, attracted many comments that were themselves blatantly antisemitic, and that the Senator was content to let most of these remain on his page, without even a comment.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/senators-in-glass-housesAsia Watch: &quot;Blasphemy&quot; controversy threatens minorities
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/asia-watch-blasphemy-controversy-threatens-minorBased on his record in office, Ahok remains the front-runner to win another term as Governor in elections next February, but his one liability is his identity - ethnic-Chinese and Christian.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/asia-watch-blasphemy-controversy-threatens-minorA diplomatic opportunity?
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/a-diplomatic-opportunityThe results of these elections do not necessarily indicate a complete overhaul of basic American policies on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump will perhaps declare his recognition of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel, something his predecessors should have done a long time ago.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/a-diplomatic-opportunityLebanon finally gets a new President
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/lebanon-finally-gets-a-new-presidentAoun has long been a controversial figure in Lebanon. Once the country&#39;s most anti-Syrian political figure, since 2005 he has been aligned with the Assad regime and its principal ally in Lebanon, the Iranian-backed Shi&#39;ite militia Hezbollah... While many welcome the potential end of political stagnation produced by the presidential vacuum, the key question is whether the agreement to elect Aoun also implies increased Iranian control.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/lebanon-finally-gets-a-new-presidentTony Jones&#39; King Hit
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/tony-jones-king-hitABC TV &quot;Lateline&quot; host Tony Jones scored a real coup in securing a twenty minute interview with visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II. Although the conversation was conducted in English, they may as well have been speaking a different language, with Jones exhibiting a shallow understanding of the region&#39;s complexity, and ignoring or misunderstanding what the Jordanian monarch said.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/tony-jones-king-hitDeconstruction Zone: Pardon my imposition
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/deconstruction-zone-pardon-my-impositionThe notion that an externally imposed solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is viable and ultimately in Israel&#39;s best interest is sheer folly. It proceeds from a set of wrong assumptions: that the failure to achieve a breakthrough is entirely Israel&#39;s fault (&quot;the settlements,&quot; etc.); that a short sharp shock is all that would be needed to make Israel &quot;come to its senses;&quot; and that the only reason a solution has not yet been imposed is that Israel has been shielded from the consequences of its policies by powerful friends (mainly in the US).
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/deconstruction-zone-pardon-my-impositionThree things Israelis will be looking at
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/three-things-israelis-will-be-looking-atIt would be reckless to predict what Donald Trump&#39;s victory in the US presidential election portends for the US-Israel relationship because it would be reckless to predict what Trump&#39;s victory means for America itself.
There are a few trends worth keeping our eyes on, however.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/three-things-israelis-will-be-looking-atBushfires, arson, and Arab schadenfreude
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/bushfires-arson-and-arab-schadenfreudeIsrael is reeling this week from a growing number of bushfires or wildfires consuming thousands of acres of vegetation, burning houses and causing the evacuation of 75,000 residents of Haifa - Israel&#39;s third largest city. It is believed that the initial fires were accidentally set, but as the crisis unfolded, there was an outbreak of more fires - and estimates by Israeli officials say that at least half of the fires currently burning in Israel were deliberately set.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/bushfires-arson-and-arab-schadenfreudeAfter 25 years, Israeli-Indian relations appear to be coming of age
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/after-25-years-israeli-indian-relations-appear-tAfter nearly a quarter century of diplomatic ties, Israeli-Indian relations have come of age.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/after-25-years-israeli-indian-relations-appear-tScribblings: Donald Trump and Jerusalem
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/scribblings-donald-trump-and-jerusalemDonald Trump said some extreme and ridiculous things on the campaign trial on his way to winning the US Presidency - but some coverage is treating as extreme and ridiculous something he said which is not only sensible but completely mainstream. This is his promise to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/scribblings-donald-trump-and-jerusalemCan the Iran deal&#39;s damage be fixed?
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/can-the-iran-deal-s-damage-be-fixedSince Implementation Day in January 2016, the IAEA reports have become very thin - almost devoid of technical details and key information on Iran&#39;s nuclear program. Full reports must be reinstated if the IAEA is to regain its reputation of openness, transparency and comprehensiveness.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/can-the-iran-deal-s-damage-be-fixedFatah conference exposes crisis
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/fatah-conference-exposes-crisisPalestinian political analysts predict that the Fatah conference will deepen divisions among the faction&#39;s rival camps, particularly in the wake of Abbas&#39; continued efforts to eliminate his critics.
Abbas, they say, decided to convene the parley in a bid to tighten his grip on Fatah and block the emergence of new leaders.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/fatah-conference-exposes-crisisThe Last Word: Friendship in Java
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/the-last-word-friendship-in-javaIn Indonesia recently, I had reason to reflect on bigotry, particularly as it relates to problems of terrorism, extremism and threats to civilised societies.
My first engagement was in Jakarta, at the 6th World Peace Forum (WPF) - hosted by the Indonesian Muslim organisation Muhammadiyah, the related Centre for Dialogue and Cooperation amongst Civilisations and a Malaysian NGO, the Cheng Ho Trust. This brought together politicians, religious leaders, scholars, activists and bureaucrats from more than forty countries, including the USA, Russia, Pakistan, Australia, India, Tunisia, Nigeria and Japan.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/the-last-word-friendship-in-javaMoving the US Embassy in Israel/ End of Israel&#39;s Population Bomb?
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/moving-the-us-embassy-in-israel-end-of-israel-s-This Update deals with the possibility US President-elect Donald Trump may fulfill a campaign pledge and move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Israel&#39;s actual capital since 1950, Jerusalem, as a a US law passed in 1995 requires.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/moving-the-us-embassy-in-israel-end-of-israel-s-Editorial: The Age of Trump
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/editorial-the-age-of-trumpIt is pleasing to note that President-elect Trump has noticeably adopted a more inclusive and conciliatory tone after what has been a very divisive election, which we hope will continue.
This is well, because the world urgently needs the US to remain a beacon of democracy over coming years and for the next US administration to swiftly develop and pursue a constructive and fully engaged foreign policy...
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/editorial-the-age-of-trumpFrom Obama to Trump
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/from-obama-to-trumpChange sweeping across the Middle East has prompted several Sunni Arab states to engage more closely with Israel. Shared strategic threats - the grow Binyamin Netanyahu kept a straight face as news of Donald Trump&#39;s victory astonished the world.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/from-obama-to-trumpAs ISIS falters
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/as-isis-faltersThe Islamic State, whose main slogan in Arabic is Baqiya watatamadad (remaining and expanding), has in reality been contracting since the high point of its advance in the autumn of 2014. Its eventual demise, at least as a quasi-state entity, is assured.
But Syria is host not only to the war against ISIS, but to a series of other, interlocking conflicts.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/as-isis-faltersBe&#39;er Sheva in Bondi
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/be-er-sheva-in-bondiDefence cooperation between Australian and Israel has taken a major step forward with the release late last month of a joint report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and the Israel-based Begin-Sadat Centre for Strategic Studies (BESA).
The report, &quot;The Wattle and the Olive&quot;, was co-written by ASPI Senior Analyst Anthony Bergin and BESA&#39;s Director Efraim Inbar and released at the second annual Be&#39;er Sheva Dialogue, held this year in Sydney on November 1.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/be-er-sheva-in-bondiIsraeli Minister to speak in Melbourne, Sydney
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/israeli-minister-to-speak-in-melbourne-sydneyAIJAC, in partnership with its co-sponsors, is proud to present the highly experienced Israeli Minister Tzachi Hanegbi in Melbourne and Sydney...
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/israeli-minister-to-speak-in-melbourne-sydneyVideo: Bangkok Track II conference – &quot;Islamist Movements and Middle East Turmoil: Implications for Southeast Asia
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/video-bangkok-track-ii-conference-islamist-movemVeteran Israel commentator Ehud Yaari delivered a very perceptive overview of the Middle East at a public session hosted by the Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) in Bangkok: &quot;Islamist Movements and Middle East Turmoil: Lessons from and Implications for Southeast Asia&quot;. It is highly recommended viewing.
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http://aijac.org.au/news/article/video-bangkok-track-ii-conference-islamist-movemBoth PA and Hamas face financial squeeze/ Mosul and the lessons of Gaza
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/both-pa-and-hamas-face-financial-squeeze-mosul-aThis Update features two articles about the serious financial problems of both the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. In addition, it includes an article from two former senior American military officers about the lessons being learned from Israel&#39;s struggle with Hamas&#39; terror tunnels in Gaza in the battle for Mosul, which is also believed to be riddled with tunnels by ISIS.
http://aijac.org.au/news/article/both-pa-and-hamas-face-financial-squeeze-mosul-a